Author Archives: ryvoan83

Remembering William Nairn

Diseases travel with people, and the Spanish flu is no exception. As hundreds of people packed onto ships to cross oceans, the vessels became incubators for the influenza virus. The USS Leviathan, the world’s largest ship at the time, departed from Hoboken, New Jersey, on September 29th, heading for Brest, Brittany. The voyage’s purpose wasContinue reading “Remembering William Nairn”

Remembering William Kemp

The Larbert Parish Churchyard is impressive, standing in the shadow of the neo-gothic splendour of Larbert Old Parish Church. The remains of numerous local industrial magnates rest within the Churchyard, their graves marked by grand monuments. Established in the mid-18th century, the nearby Carron Ironworks was at the forefront of heavy industry and industrialisation inContinue reading “Remembering William Kemp”

Remembering Andrew McDonald

On October 12th, The Strathearn Herald highlighted a concerning surge of influenza cases in the village of Comrie. Andrew McDonald appears to be the only fatality. He rests in Comrie’s South Crieff Road Cemetery on the village’s eastern edge. A plain headstone marks his grave. Though still legible, it has partially subsided into the ground.Continue reading “Remembering Andrew McDonald”

Remembering William Henderson

The story of William Henderson is one of the saddest I have encountered. William rests with his parents in Bennochy Cemetery, Kirkcaldy. A short walk from the railway station, Bennochy Cemetery is on a gentle slope and boasts an impressive collection of elaborate headstones. William’s headstone is located within the eastern perimeter wall and isContinue reading “Remembering William Henderson”

Remembering Dr. John Boyd Michie

While I cannot confirm John’s fate as a victim of the Spanish flu, his story is incredibly compelling and deserves to be shared. Alva Cemetery is nestled on a picturesque hillside at the eastern periphery of the town, offering serene views of the surrounding landscape. While Dr. John Michie’s final resting place is not withinContinue reading “Remembering Dr. John Boyd Michie”

Remembering Lavinia Cunningham

St. Drostan’s Cemetery is located on a picturesque hillside with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. To the east, you can see the Firth of Forth and the distant East Lothian coastline. To the west, you can enjoy views of the charming village of Markinch, the sprawling new town of Glenrothes, and the distant LomondContinue reading “Remembering Lavinia Cunningham”

Remembering James Bowie Westwater

James is laid to rest in Tillicoutry Cemetery, with a CWGC headstone marking his grave. He passed away on November 6th at the age of 24 due to influenza and pneumonia at the Northern General Hospital in Lincoln. James Bowie Westwater was born on May 1, 1894, at 52 Stirling Street, Tillicoutry, to James, aContinue reading “Remembering James Bowie Westwater”

Remembering Daniel Ferguson

Daniel’s death registration lists “pneumonia” as the cause of death. However, due to his age and the period, I have included him in the count of Spanish flu deaths. He is laid to rest in Tillicoultry Cemetery, in a plot that we would later share with his parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece. Their headstone isContinue reading “Remembering Daniel Ferguson”